Diabetes ‘can be controlled after pancreas removal’

Diabetes can be controlled after the removal of the pancreas, contrary to what many scientists previously believed, according to new research.

A study from Mayo Clinic in Florida has discovered that patients who had their entire pancreas removed due to cancer or precancerous cysts in the organ, could control the resulting diabetes.

The role of the pancreas is to produce insulin in order to remove sugar from the blood. When the organ is taken out, the insulin must be replaced, which can be done through the use of injections or an external pump.

Senior investigator Michael B Wallace, noted that the findings should provide reassurance for physicians and surgeons that removing the entire pancreas is reasonably safe and effective.

"What we have shown here is that, due to wonderful recent improvements in insulin therapy, patients without a pancreas can control their blood sugar as effectively as type 1 diabetes patients can," he said.